§ 19. Mr. KELLYasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the cost of the cheapest stand obtainable at the textile section of the British Industries Fair, exclusive of the cost of certain fittings, compared with the cost of a corresponding stand at Olympia in 1931; whether he can make arrangements for some cheaper stands to be available; and whether the nature of the contracts entered into between exhibitors and Exhibition Organisers, Limited, precludes his Department from effecting any reduction in the charges for space?
Sir H. YOUNGThe cheapest stand in the textile section at the White City in 1932 will cost £50. This includes charges for space, stand construction, stand lighting and the mannequin parade. At Olympia in 1931 a stand of the same dimensions could have been obtained for £33 under the Department's inclusive scheme for space, stand construction and lighting, but the stand and lighting would not have been of the high standard adopted at the White City at the special request of the textile industry.
The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
I do not understand the third part. The Department has no power to vary existing contracts.
§ Mr. KELLYIn view of the cheapness of the material and the cheapness in other directions with regard to construction, can nothing be done by the right hon. Gentleman's Department to prevail on these people to charge a lower price than and, with regard to the last part, cannot the Department make some recommendations to these people for a reduction in the charges?
Sir H. YOUNGThe hon. Member will be aware that I answered that question 1080 on a previous occasion. The answer was that the business has to be self-supporting, and, in view of that circumstance, it is not possible to make any reductions in charges.